Easy Entertaining : Mocktail Magic
Is anyone else muddling through dry January? (Get it? Ha!) I actually feel really great - better sleep, more energy, and less brain fog - but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been difficult at times! As a social person who loves celebrating all life’s occasions, there have definitely been situations where I’m missing that special cocktail or glass of wine.
We spent last weekend with friends in Southern California, and with all that sunshine, good food, and conversation, I was so proud of myself for not caving! I discovered these amazing little sparkling waters, that on ice are a great dupe for a botanical craft cocktail. I found them at Sprouts but if you don’t have one in your area, they are also available on Amazon. Calorie-free and Whole30 compliant? Pour another, please!
Around the house, I miss cocktails most with special meals and relaxing with Jeff at night. I’ve been rotating two delicious mocktails though, that I drink even when I’m not dry because they are so darn good! These are also great for entertaining as an N/A option, but if I’m being honest? They are both pretty delicious spiked too, so it’s like two drinks in one! See below for recipes and notes on tweaking them.
Easy Faux Mojito
This is my daily go-to because it’s so easy and so delicious! Plus, none of the junky ingredients that you often find in mocktail recipes. I love serving this in pitchers at large gatherings, with a side of ice, and an option to add a shot of something stronger if desired.
Ingredients (makes one drink):
Lemon-Lime Waterloo (I’m sure similar bubble waters will work, this is just my favorite!)
Juice from two limes
6-8 mint leaves
Ice (crushed if you have it!)
Something sweet (Stevia or raw turbinado sugar - optional)
Lime wheel for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Muddle the lime juice, most of the mint leaves, and optional sweetener. If you’re not familiar with that term, it just means mash together - this will release all the yummy mintiness and marry it with the lime juice and sweetener. You can use an actual muddler for this, (this is the one I have) or the back of a wooden spoon. Feeling fancy? Muddle in a cocktail shaker and then shake it up with about ⅓ cup of ice. Keepin’ it real? Muddle in your glass.
Fill a glass with ice, pour the muddled mixture over, and top with the bubble water.
Garnish with remaining mint leaves and a lime wheel…or not!
Notes:
I’m not a food blogger so this is a pretty basic recipe that you can’t really mess up! Add extra lime juice, mint, and/or sweetener to taste. If you skip the sweetener in the muddling process, but find you need a bit, you can absolutely add it to the finished product so don’t stress!
You can double, triple, quadruple, etc. this recipe and just muddle directly in a pitcher. It’s best to add the fizzy water right before serving but you can pre-muddle it and then throw it in the fridge until your guests arrive.
This is also delicious with vodka (which I know makes it more of a smash and less of a mojito). I’ve never tried it, but if you want mojito vibes, you could try a light rum. If you do this, let me know how it was!
Cucumber Agua Fresca
This makes a little bit more of a mess, but it’s so easy and so delicious and refreshing. It’s best to make a big pitcher of this, but it will stay good for a day or two in your fridge (you may just need to add a bit more water the next day as it will thicken up). It’s so good with chips and guac - a delicious substitute for my usual margarita. And again, no junk. Just healthy and fresh feel-good ingredients!
Equipment needed:
Blender (this is the one I have and love)
Ingrediants (makes about 6 servings):
3 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
5 cups of cold water
Juice from 5-6 limes (or about ½ cup of fresh lime juice)
2-4 tablespoons Stevia or cane sugar for sweetening (optional)
Directions:
After peeling your cucumbers, chop into a few pieces and add to your blender with lime juice, 2 cups of water, and optional sweetener.
Blend, blend, blend until smooth.
Pour into a pitcher, then add the remaining 3 cups of water.
Serve over lots of ice, or if you have time, refrigerate for 30+ minutes, then serve over ice (you want it to be very cold!)
Notes:
This is another basic recipe that you can’t mess up! I don’t find I need sweetener but it’s all personal taste. You can always blend it without, and then add it to each individual drink after.
If you’re not into the pulp, you can strain after blending, and before adding the rest of the water. FWIW I do not enjoy OJ with pulp, but love it in this as it’s smooth and not chunky!
This is also delicious with a splash of vodka or tequila - add individually to each glass for best results!
Whether you're on a Dry January journey or simply choosing a non-alcoholic lifestyle, let's raise a glass to enjoying the real happy hours of life! Here’s to quenching our thirst with healthy and delicious ingredients that also taste great!
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